K.I.D.S.
Issue 60
Fall 2016
Keeping Information, Data & Services Accessible to All the Families We Serve
CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES
Avoiding Burns
Inside and Out
Did you know that 3 million burn cases are
diagnosed in the US each year, according to
the Mayo Clinic? To paint a visual picture,
think of it this way: The Bay Area is home
to 7 million people, which means the total
number of burn cases each year is nearly
half its population. Fortunately, there are
precautionary measures resource families
can incorporate into their daily routines
to prevent burns and create a fun and safe
environment for children in their care.
Identifying Burns
A burn is an injury that damages the skin
or deeper tissues. Burns may be caused by the sun, hot liquids, fire, electricity, or chemicals,
according to the Mayo Clinic. It is essential children’s caregivers are aware of the different
types of burns, so they can identify symptoms, prevent incidents, and properly treat burns.
Most burns are characterized by pain, swelling, blistering and, in severe cases, black
leathery skin. Burns are classified as first, second or third degree based on size and severity.
“The first-degree burn is where the burn damages tissues in the epidermis, which is the
top layer of the skin,” said Dr. Jeffrey DeWeese, Burn Specialist at Bothin Burn Center at
St. Francis Memorial Hospital. “Second degree is where it’s the dermal, or bottom, layer.
Third-degree is where the dermis and epidermis are injured.”
First-degree burns are minor and cause minimal damage to the skin. Most firstdegree burns heal within 10 days, leaving no scars. Second-degree burns, also known as
partial-thickness burns, are more serious because they penetrate deeper into the skin and
sometimes require medical treatment. These burns are accompanied by blisters and take
roughly three weeks to heal. The most severe is third-degree burns or full-thickness burns,
as they damage every layer of the skin and the nerve endings. What’s tricky about these
burns is that damage to nerve endings can’t be seen and they might not be very painful
initially. When in doubt about the degree of burns, care providers should seek medical care.
Third-degree burns require medical treatment and surgery. The healing time for these
burns varies based on size, depth, and the patient’s overall health. However, complications
can lead to infections or even death.
TAKE A LOOK INSIDE
3
4
7
8
9
10
11
12
Champions for Children
Birthday Shout-Outs
SFFPA Announcement
PPC News
News You Can Use
Transitioning to Adulthood
Licensing Regulation
Ask K.I.D.S.!
Be Active for Health
Meet the Staff
QPI Corner
Cooking with Love
Activities for All
Check It Out!
RFA Conversion
The new RFA is confusing, but
with the right resources, the
process can be much easier to
wrap your head around. Learn
how you can convert and two
crucial dates not to miss on
page 8
Take your test and survey online
at: https://goo.gl/BE38Xd Sunburns
One of the most common burns that people will experience is sunburn. “Some sunburns
are second-degree burns,” said Dr. DeWeese. “That’s significant injury, and if somebody
has blistering, they should seek medical care.” Children or youth in your care who have
Continued on page 2
Our May test winner is
Joyce Lee
Continued from page 1
sunburns should not scratch the area if it itches, especially if it
becomes blistery.
During the summer, the sun is out for longer and it’s common
for families to barbecue and soak up the rays at the beach. While
the fun shouldn’t stop, care providers should remember that
sunburns occur when a person is exposed to too much ultraviolet
(UV) rays. When UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin, they
can cause melanoma. On the other hand, UVB rays cause sunburns
and wrinkles.
Resource parents can protect children against sun damage by
making them wear broad spectrum sunscreen, with SPF30 or
higher, says Dr. DeWeese. These sunscreens should be waterresistant and sweat-resistant and should be reapplied throughout
the day.
And everyone should use sunscreen. Although fair-skinned
individuals are more susceptible to sunburns, there’s a common
misconception that dark-skinned people have built-in sun block
and don’t need it. This is a detrimental thought process, as it’s
much harder to detect skin cancer in the early stages for darkskinned individuals.
During the summer, resource families should be aware of their
children’s environment when enjoying outdoor activities. For
example, parents shouldn’t allow children to play on hot equipment
at the park or walk barefoot on hot pavement, as these surfaces can
cause burn injuries.
Hot Water Burns
Burns caused by hot running water are called scald burns.
According to the Burn Foundation, 500,000 scalds occur
annually in the United States, and 17 percent of children who are
hospitalizated for scalds were injured by hot tap water. The most
vulnerable population are children under the age of 5 and adults 65
and older because their skin is thin.
“Scald burns mostly occur in the kitchen or bathroom and occur
in the very young or old, or people who have mobility issues,” said
Dr. DeWeese. “That might be someone with cerebral palsy, severe
arthritis, or someone with seizure disorder who has a seizure and
falls in the shower.”
Resource families who are caring for children under the
age of 5 should be vigilant when it comes to regulating liquid
temperatures for drinking and bathing. During bath time, Dr.
DeWeese recommends that water temperature for children not
exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Never leave children unattended
or unsupervised with younger siblings during bath time or at a sink
where they can easily turn up the water to scalding temperature. Dr.
DeWeese said that’s a very cause for burns in the patients he’s seen.
He’s also seen scald burns associated with multi-tasking individuals,
such as a parent holding a hot beverage in one hand and a child in
the other.
Kitchen Burns
The kitchen is one of the central parts of a home for culinary
creations for both care providers and children. Kitchens are hightraffic and high-risk areas for burns, especially scalds, from steam
or hot liquids. Most scald burns to children between the ages of 6
months and 2 years are caused by hot foods or liquids spilled in the
kitchen, according to Stanford Children’s Health.
Although the kitchen can be dangerous, there are ways children
and youth can help prepare nutritious meals in safe and responsible
ways. One suggestion from Dr. DeWeese is burn-proofing your
kitchen. “There should be a no-child zone around the stove and
sink,” he said. “I tell people to put masking tape or some kind of
tape on the floor in a big square around the stove and train your
children never to go inside that area.” Resource families should also
keep cords to appliances, such as slow cookers and coffee makers,
away from children’s reach, and check to see where children are
before handling hot liquids.
Treating Burns
The biggest misconception when it comes to burns is how to treat
them. When treating a burn, care providers should always use cool
water or cool cloth on the area. For example, if a child sustains a
hot water burn on the body, resource parents should immediately
remove the child’s clothing and replace with dry clothes that are
light and cool to alleviate symptoms.
“Don’t put butter, toothpaste, baking soda or honey on burns”
said Dr. DeWeese. “Any of these home remedies can make the
burn worse.” In addition, never treat burns with ice. Although ice
is soothing, it can cause more harm to the skin by freezing the
blood vessels and limiting blood flow in the burn area.
Helpful Phone Numbers
Published bi-monthly for San Francisco County foster parents,
resource families, NREFMs and kin care providers. To suggest a topic,
submit an article, promote an event, or provide feedback, email
[email protected].
Editorial Staff
Editors: Karen Stewartson Gallivan and Sharon Walchak
Amabel Baxley, Kimberlee Pitters, Heather Priebe
HSA Operator CPS Child Abuse Hotline Foster Care Ombudsman Transportation Duty Line
Licensing/RFA/Recruitment Hotline
Free Foster Parenting Respite Service
Community Services
Non-emergency Government Services
(415) 557-5000
(800) 856-5553 or
(415) 558-2650
(415) 558-2828
(415) 557-5376
(415) 558-2200
(415) 861-4060 x3035
211
311
FCS Agency Directory: www.sfhsa.org/174.htm
City and County of San Francisco/Family & Children Services
PO Box 7988 • 170 Otis Street, San Francisco, CA 94120
2
Newsletter Website: http://www.sfhsa.org/1890.htm
Champions for Children
Ellen and Brandon Williams
with them while she works on weekends.
Ellen’s advice to new foster parents: “Reach
Ellen and Brandon Williams, who have been
out for help. I see some foster parents have
dedicated to fostering youths for almost three
reservations and face adversity with the foster
years. Ellen’s personal experience as a teenager
care system. Everyone is so helpful. Surround
in the foster care system inspired her to become
yourself with all the help and support you can
a resource parent. “I grew up in foster care with
get: CASA, social workers, trainings, etc. The
amazing foster parents, and we wanted to be
help is there. Don’t be afraid to ask and be
able to provide an amazing home like I had
honest with your struggle. It’s so critical to get
growing up as a teen in the system,” she said.
the help you need.”
With one biological child of their own, a huge
Ellen expresses her gratitude to the Human
home and lots of room in their hearts, Ellen
Services Agency and her husband. “He took on
and Brandon decided to complete their family
my passion,” she said. “And watch us build our
by becoming resource parents, but they were
team together! We are the dream team.”
skeptical about the possibility.
Ellen and Brandon Williams
The Williams also would like to thank Anka,
“Being that we are so young, we assumed that
Scott, Macario, Alexis, Wrap Around Services,
nobody would want us to foster,” said Ellen.
and CASA for all their support.
“We had this big house with all these extra bedrooms. We found
The Williams have future plans, too. “Being that I am an EMT
our niche with teens and decided to try. It was a totally different
and my husband will be finished with medical school soon, we plan
experience than what was expected. The staff was willing to work
to take on medically fragile children,” said Ellen. “We will have
with us. It was like parenting with training wheels. It was amazing.”
the resources to help families in need and we will do just that.”
Due to life changes and Brandon starting medical school
On behalf of the Human Services Agency, we thank Ellen and
in Southern California, the Williams were faced with a tough
Brandon Williams for their continuous love, guidance, and support
decision—relocate without one of their daughters. “It is very
to San Francisco County youths.
important for foster parents to know that life happens and it is OK
to make decisions like this,” said Ellen. “One of our foster daughters
was going into her senior year of high school and wanted to finish
Support the San Francisco Foster Youth Fund
school with her friends.” Relocation has been hard for the whole
Donate used items to Community Thrift Store at 623
family, including the Williams’ younger daughter. “It was hard for
Valencia Street, San Francisco, in the name of “SF Foster
us to leave her and very hard on her sister, too, who is also in our
Youth Fund, Charity #160”! www.communitythriftsf.org.
care,” Ellen added. In the fall, the family will be reunited when
their daughter moves to Southern California for college and lives
September’s Champions for Children are
July, August, and September
San Francisco Foster Parent Association Announcement
Birthday Shout-Outs!
Ramon Aguilar
Ana Azucena
Karen L. Baker
Claudia Brodeur
Vickey Byrd
Melinda Capiraso
Yanick Constant
Melody Daniels
Lucy Dunkley
Christine
Hendrickson
Kimberley Hopper
Laura Isadore
Howard Johnson
Doretha
Johnson-Vinson
Kurt Kilgore
Shirley King
Marlene
Largaespada
Deborah Lightfoot
Elizabeth Link
Dennis Lockett
Costella Logan
Join Us for Our Bi-Monthly Meetings!
Cathelene Marshall
Joshua E. Moorer
Brian Oulman
Patricia Rivers
Charles J. Roberts
Carmen Singleton
Julien Swansen
Jimmy L. Taylor
Ravelle Taylor
Betty Williams
Evelyn Yanez
Use the enclosed survey form to be added to the birthday list.
Next Meetings:
Wednesday, October 12, 2016 • 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Wednesday, December 14, 2016 • 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Light dinner served
170 Otis St., 6th Floor, Conf. Room 2, San Francisco
Please join us at our bi-monthly meetings to meet other
foster parents. We are a stand-alone and member-run
nonprofit organization to empower ALL foster, adoptive,
relative and non-relative care providers. Our goal is for all
care providers to come together to achieve high-quality
care for the well-being of our children and youth. Please
call Lorraine Hanks at (415) 756-5240 to RSVP.
3
Parenting for Permanency College News
Greetings from the PPC Team!
A lot has happened since the May 2016 issue of the K.I.D.S.
Newsletter. We celebrated our Annual Family Children Services
(FCS) Resource Family Appreciation Event “Monte Carlo Night,”
we updated the RFA Pre-Service Curriculum to include new
directives and reduced the number of training hours, and we
completed four cycles of RFA Pre-Service Training, one SA/HIV
Infant Program training cycle and two ABCs of Baby Care.
Resource Family
Appreciation Event
We celebrated the Value of
Building Relationships during
our Annual FCS Resource
Family Appreciation Event
“Monte Carlo Night” on May
20. Our evening included a
wonderful keynote presentation
by Regina Louise and beautiful
vocals from FCS’s own Robert
Manongdo, and we were
honored with a special song
Gloria Anthony-Oliver and Pat
by YsabelaMarie. We ended
Smith at Monte Carlo Night.
the evening in a “Monte Carlo
Night” setting playing, dancing,
and getting to know one another.
Special thanks to our donors whose support helped create a
wonderful evening:
• Braid Mission—Sponsorship of gift cards
• Family Support Services of the Bay Area Respite Program—
On-Site Child care
• PixCo Productions—Non-Profit Discount
• South San Francisco Conference Center—Non-Profit
Discount
• Family Children Services leadership and staff—Sponsorship
of raffle gifts
Revised RFA Pre-Service Curriculum
Tier 1
12-hour Core RFA Pre-Service Training:
• Module 1 Child Welfare Overview (3 hours)
• Module 2 Understanding Your Role on the
Professional Team (3 hours)
• Module 3 Developmental Needs of Children in Foster
Care (3 hours)
• Module 4 Positive Parenting (3 hours)
Tier Two
• Care provider shall complete First Aid/CPR training
Tier Three
Care provider shall complete 8 hours of advanced
training prior to approval anniversary. Pre-approval/
post-approval training options:
• Childhood Trauma & Traumatic Stress (3 hours)
• Loss & Transitions (3 hours)
• ABCs of Baby Care (3 hours)
• SA/HIV Infant Program (36 hours)
Tier Four
• Care provider shall complete 8 hours of postapproval training every year.
RFA Pre-Service Revisions
As mentioned above, we revised the RFA Pre-Service curriculum
to include updates as described in the RFA Directives. In addition,
we changed the structure of Pre-Service Training and reduced the
hours of each cycle. We created a four-tier training program that
you can see in the box at top right.
We piloted the new structure in July 2016 and it has been well
received. We are looking to expand our advanced training options
and need your help in identifying training topics. We want to hear
from you about training that you would like to see offered. Please
contact Amabel Baxley ([email protected] ) or Heather
Priebe ([email protected] ) with suggestions.
Since our last issue of K.I.D.S. Newsletter, we completed four
cycles of RFA Pre-Service Training, three of which we used the
4
SA/HIV Spanish Series participants and graduates.
new tier-training program, one SA/HIV Infant Program training
cycle and two ABCs of Baby Care.
As we move forward, we hope to expand the advanced training
options. We plan on rolling out an RFA Mentor Program, and we
are starting to plan for out Holiday Event in December.
The PPC team thanks you for all that you do and for your
continued dedication.
Warm Regards,
Amabel Baxley, MSW, PPC Training Specialist
Parenting for Permanency College News
Parenting for Permanency College Calendar
Parenting for Permanency: A Journey of the Heart
Training: to enhance care providers’ knowledge base and skills. Support: to elevate care providers’ spirits and
to create bonds of positive and healthy relationships. Register for English and Spanish Support Groups with
Sharon Walchak at (415) 401-4313 or [email protected]. Location for all support group meetings is to
be determined.
ENGLISH SUPPORT GROUPS
SPANISH SUPPORT GROUPS
Held every 3rd Tuesday of the month
5:30 pm refreshments • 6 – 8 pm meeting
Held every 3rd Thursday of the month
5:30 pm refreshments • 6 – 8 pm meeting
September 20
Presenter:
Natalia Estassi
October 18
Presenter: Rocio
Rodriguez
November 15
Presenter:
Natalia Estassi
September 15
Presenter:
Judith Lefler
October 15
Presenter:
TBA
November 17
Presenter:
TBA
Parenting for Permanency College Trainings
September–December 2016
PRE-SERVICE TRAINING
SERIES OPTIONS
PRE-SERVICE TRAINING
SERIES OPTIONS
PRE-SERVICE TRAINING
SERIES OPTIONS
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
September 10–17, 2016
RFA Pre-Service
English Saturday Series
October 4–13, 2016
RFA Pre-Service
English Tuesday/Thursday Series
November 5–12, 2016
RFA Pre-Service
English Saturday Series
September 22–24, 2016
Advanced
English
October 18–20, 2016
Advanced
English
November 19, 2016
Advanced
ABCs OF BABY CARE
SEPTEMBER
September 28, 2016
SA/HIV Infant Program
ABCs of Baby Care
Born Auditorium
170 Otis Street. San Francisco
SA/HIV INFANT PROGRAM
TRAINING SERIES OPTIONS
SEPTEMBER
September 13-October 13, 2016
SA/HIV Infant Program
English Tuesday/Thursday Series
Born Auditorium
170 Otis Street. San Francisco
October 1–8, 2016
RFA Pre-Service
Spanish Saturday Series
October 15, 2016
Advanced
Spanish
ABCs OF BABY CARE
NOVEMBER
November 15, 2016
SA/HIV Infant Program
ABCs of Baby Care
Born Auditorium
170 Otis Street. San Francisco
Register Today!
To register and confirm training
locations, please contact Heather
at (415) 938-6555 or by email at
[email protected]. Please note
that if we do not meet the minimum
number of attendees for each training
we may need to cancel that series.
5
Parenting for Permanency College News
Dear Caregivers,
We at City College of San Francisco-Child and Adolescent
Development Department thank you for participating in the Foster
and Kinship Care Education Program (FKCE) during the 2016–17
year. This year we are beginning the classes during the month of
August to make sure that the class meeting dates correspond to
the published schedule in the fall 2016 catalog for City College
Schedule of Classes. All classes will continue to be located at the
Evans Campus, 1400 Evans Street, and room 107. Classes will
begin with transitioning from summer to fall school schedules for
youth and caregivers. Then we will take you through the process
of out of home placement beginning with reporting and removal
followed by classes that discuss the impact to our children’s
emotional, physical, cognitive and educational development. We
are also pleased to continue the Adolescent Wednesday classes that
focus on concerns that confront not only the adolescent but you as
the caregiver of this age group.
Brenda Wemiz is now in her second year as the Enrollment
Specialist for the FKCE program and will continue to provide
quality services supporting you with any questions relative to
the Foster and Kinship Care Education and can be contacted at
(415) 452-5605.
Our goal continues to be to provide you with current
information to enhance, support, and meet your needs to enable
successful care of the youth in your homes. We look forward to
your continued support in making this another successful year and
we encourage you to invite others to attend the classes.
Respectfully,
Bernadine Luckey, MSW, LCSW, Program Director, Foster and
Kinship Care Education
City College of San Francisco
FREE CPR & First Aid Training Schedule
All classes are held at John Adams Campus, 1860 Hayes Street, Room 44, San Francisco. San Francisco foster parents
MUST register by calling (415) 267-6523 or emailing [email protected]. Include the class number of the training session
you would like to enroll in. Pre-registration is required; class size is limited.
Class #
Day
Date
Time
Class
Class #
Day
Date
Time
Class
CPR200i Wed
9/21/16 8:30am – 12:30pm
CPR
CPR200k Wed
11/16/16 8:30am – 12:30pm
CPR
FA200i
9/21/16 1:00pm – 5:00pm
First Aid
FA200k
11/16/16 1:00pm – 5:00pm
First Aid
CPR200j Wed
10/19/16 8:30am – 12:30pm
CPR
CPR200L Wed
12/14/16 8:30am – 12:30pm
CPR
FA200j
10/19/16 1:00pm – 5:00pm
First Aid
FA200L Wed
12/14/16 1:00pm – 5:00pm
First Aid
Wed
Wed
Wed
FALL 2016 SCHEDULE
City College of San Francisco Child Development & Family Studies Department
Foster & Kinship Care Education
CCSF Evans Campus • 1400 Evans Avenue, Room 107, San Francisco
All classes meet the requirements for Continued Education for Licensed Foster Parents and Kinship Care Providers and
specifically meet the mandated 8 hours of Continued Education. Certificates of Completion issued at the end of each
session. Please register early by calling Brenda at (415) 452-5605.
TALK TIME TUESDAYS AT EVANS CAMPUS
Sept. 20
Sept. 27
Oct. 4
Oct. 11
Oct. 18
Oct. 25
Nov. 1
Nov. 8
Nov. 15
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
9 am – 2 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 3 pm
Impact of
Removal
and
Placement
Grief & Loss/
Effects of
Removal &
Placement
Rights of
Youth In
Foster Care
Providing
Trust,
Attachment &
Bonding
Stages
of Child
Development
Impact of
Consistency
& Follow
Through
Anger
Management—
It’s Not About
You, Caregiver
Providing
Emotional Support
Building Self
Esteem
Providing
Educational
Support
Resources
ADOLESCENT WEDNESDAYS AT EVANS CAMPUS
6
Sept. 21
Sept. 28
Oct. 5
Oct. 12
Oct. 19
Oct. 26
Nov. 2
Nov. 9
Nov. 16
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
10 am – 1 pm
Understanding
Adolescent
Placements
Developing
Trust
Identify Your
Parenting
Style
Age
Appropriate
Expectations
Effects
of Stress
on Brain
Development
Positive
Behavior
Management
Preventing
Allegations by
Protecting Foster
Youth Rights
Teaching
Youth to Be
Responsible
Independent
Living Skills/
AB-12
News You Can Use
The New Vaccine Law and You
It’s back to school time and there’s a long check list of things
to do before school starts. As the new school year commences,
resource families across California should pay attention to Senate
Bill 277 (SB 277), which was signed into law by Governor Jerry
Brown in June 2015.
The new law, which became effective July 1, 2016, mandates
that parents have their children vaccinated in order to attend
public and private schools and daycare facilities. In addition
to mandatory vaccinations for school-aged children, SB 277
eliminates exemptions for religious and personal beliefs, which
previously allowed parents to opt out from vaccinating their
children based on such beliefs.
The vaccination law also applies to children who live with
resource families. So what does this mean for care providers?
Although the new law won’t affect resource families much, since
children in your care already adhere to vaccination schedules,
there are many questions surrounding the topic that are useful to
know.
What should I know about the new
vaccination law?
• Religious and personal belief exemptions filed for children prior
to January 1, 2016 will remain valid.
• Medical exemptions are still valid and can only be obtained
from a medical doctor.
• Valid exemptions can be transferred between schools in
California, so the vaccination process doesn’t restart upon
enrolling at a new school.
• Students exempt from the vaccination law include those
in home-based private schools; students enrolled in an
independent study program who do not receive classroom
instruction; and students with individual education programs.
• Schools must record immunization status for all students,
including those who have valid exemptions.
• Students can be turned away from school if they don’t have
proof of immunization. However, students can be given
provisional acceptance to attend school, but must provide
documentation on exemptions or show proof of immunization
within a strict time frame.
• Similarly, students who are behind on their immunization
schedule will be admitted to school if they aren’t due for any
doses. These students must also submit proof of immunization.
• The law also applies to homeless and foster children. Students
who are being transferred into the California school system
must be admitted immediately even if they do not have
immunization records at the time of enrollment.
• There are two checkpoints for immunization: kindergarten and
seventh grade. Students entering kindergarten must show proof
of the following immunizations: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus,
Polio, Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Hepatitis B and Varicella
(chicken pox). Seventh-grade students are required to show
proof of Tetanus, reduced Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis
(Tdap), as well as Mumps, Measles, and Rubella.
The main important takeaway for resource families to remember
is that the new vaccination law is in effect and children in your
custody will need to show proof of immunization. Resource
parents whose children aren’t fully immunized should make an
appointment with their children’s primary care doctor and be sure
to keep a vaccination record.
For resource families wanting to learn more about the new
vaccination law and see answers to other frequently asked
questions, please visit http://www.shotsforschool.org/laws/
sb277faq.
RESPITE CARE
Do you need a break? Do you have an important
appointment to attend? Try FREE respite care with
the Family Support Services of the Bay Area. Family
Support Services provides specialized child care to give
parents and caregivers a break from the daily demands
of caring for their children. Respite care is available
day or night in your home or at the home of a licensed
family day care provider. For more information about
respite care or to request a respite caregiver, contact
Bruce Williams at (415) 861-4060 x 3035 or Katrina at
(415) 861-4060 x 3032.
7
Transitioning to Adulthood
Graduating On Time
Youths in foster care are less likely to
graduate from high school. The odds
against graduating are further compounded
by the frequency with which they transfer
homes and schools, as well as school
district requirements that make it harder
to graduate. On top of that, there’s a race
against time as youths age out of the foster
care system.
Thanks to Assembly Bill (AB) 167,
changes in the education landscape will
make it easier for foster youths to obtain
their high-school diploma. AB 167 makes
amendments in the education code by
requiring school districts to exempt foster
care students from district requirements
that exceed state graduation requirements
if they transfer to the district, or transfer
high schools in the 11th or 12th grade, and
would not be reasonably able to complete
additional district requirements. AB 167,
which became effective in 2010, was
revised and also is referred to as AB 216
or AB 167/216.
“AB 216 is a great intervention to
graduate and move to the next level
of education,” says Gloria AnthonyOliver, Protective Services Worker and
Education Liaison Between School
Districts and San Francisco Human
Services Agency.
Graduation requirements are a hot topic
for resource parents who have students
in high school. In fact, Anthony-Oliver
says almost daily she encounters resource
families and individuals who have issues
related to AB 167/216. Resource parents
can find out about eligibility requirements
by contacting their children’s school
counselor.
“Once youth are deemed eligible via
transcript analysis and approval of the
parent or educational representative,
they receive a signed document, which is
transferrable to any school,” says AnthonyOliver. “AB 216 can only be canceled by
the recipient.”
Although AB 167/216 eliminates
unnecessary roadblocks, there might be
detractors for eligible students, such as not
participating in extra curricular activities
or immediately attending a four-year
university.
Overall, the bill is a win for foster care
students, allowing them to successfully
advance to post-secondary opportunities.
Anthony-Oliver says children who can get
AB 216 eligibility are blessed and should
grab the opportunity and run toward their
future.
Licensing Regulation
Resource Family Approval Conversion
Resource families who want to
continue being care providers for foster
children and youth must comply with
a new licensing regulation. Effective
July 1, 2017, a state mandated Resource
Family Approval (RFA) process will be
implemented requiring foster family homes
that are currently licensed, approved
relative caregivers and non-relative
extended family members (NREFMs) to
undergo a new approval process.
The RFA’s goal is to improve the process
for care providers by reducing duplicative
steps and preparing them through training
to effectively care for the diverse needs of
foster children. According to Assembly
Bill 403, resource families must adopt the
RFA process no later than December 31,
2019.
8
Licensed foster family homes, approved
relative caregivers, and NREFMs within
the county will receive three critical notices
of conversion requirements and process
from the San Francisco Human Services
Agency no later than July 31, 2017.
1. A description of the RFA program.
2. Notification that RFAs are due by
December 31, 2019 to provide continued
care for foster children.
3. Description of the conversion process
that will explain how licenses may be
forfeited by law if conversions aren’t
completed by December 31, 2019.
It is important to note that licensed
resource families who do not accept new
placements during 2017 won’t be allowed
to convert to RFA. The county has a
transition plan and will work with licensed
homes in 2017 to make RFA conversions.
To get more up-to-date information on
the new RFA process, please see the flyer
enclosed in this newsletter.
Ask K.I.D.S!
Common Questions from Resource Families
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just
starting out, resource families have questions. Here is your opportunity to get them
answered. Send us your questions and we’ll
provide you with our best advice.
I need some time to take care of myself,
what are my options for making sure I
can get a much-needed break?
Everyone needs a break to decompress,
spend time with family and friends, take
care of important personal appointments,
or simply just to rest! Respite care allows
resource families to take time out for themselves, while ensuring their children are in
a safe environment. Respite care providers
receive the same training and screening
process as resource families. Resource families seeking respite care can work with their
child’s protective services worker (PSW)
in advance. Also, if you’re planning on
going away from your child for more than
24 hours, you will need approval from your
child’s PSW.
All of this RFA business is confusing me.
I’ve been a licensed foster parent for
many years. How does RFA affect me?
The RFA is a new comprehensive process,
which is designed to make the approval
process much simpler for resource families. Conversion to the new RFA must be
complete by December 31, 2019 or you will
forfeit your licensure or approval to operate.
The San Francisco Human Services Agency
will be working with resource families to
ensure that they convert.
Every PSW has a supervisor. If you don’t
hear back from your child’s PSW in what
feels like a reasonable amount of time,
you can call his or her supervisor. Another
option is to call the hotline at 800-8565553. Many think the hotline is meant only
to report abuse or neglect issues; however,
you can also use it to leave a message if you
have tried other recourses and they haven’t
panned out.
We want to hear from you! This is a new
section of the newsletter, so send us your
questions.
inner peace, and boost their
self-esteem. Practicing yoga
also helps individuals with their
posture and balance. As a result,
it encourages perseverance and
physical endurance. Today, yoga
is very accessible to the public
with studios popping up all around
town. In fact, many schools are
integrating yoga in after-school
programs and offering it to children
with special needs.
Yoga is great for fidgety kids,
who have a hard time unwinding
and sitting still. It’s also an effective
way for children to relax before
bedtime. But yoga isn’t just for
children—adults of all ages can
practice right in the comfort of their
homes. A major premise in yoga is
to respect your body, which means
you practice at your own pace. So
strike a pose and stretch your mind
and muscles this month.
I have a lot of concerns about the child
in my care. He’s having a hard time with
school and his behavior seems to be
getting in the way of his progress. I’ve
called his PSW and I haven’t heard back
from her. What should I do?
Be Active for Health
September is National Yoga Month!
Yoga is a great way for families
to create a healthy lifestyle by
incorporating exercise in their
daily routines. Many people know
that yoga helps individuals with
relaxing, but other benefits include
helping with mental focus, lowering
blood pressure and cholesterol,
and increasing flexibility.
Yoga is also a fun way for
children to exercise, create deep
9
Meet the Staff
Angela Ramos-Reyes, Your RFA Ally
Resource families and foster children
have a new advocate on their team—Angela
Ramos-Reyes, the new Program Manager
for Family and Children’s Services (FCS).
Mrs. Ramos-Reyes is a 15-year veteran,
having experience working closely with
management teams and supervisors to create
professional development initiatives. Her
wealth of knowledge with FCS, working
with families, non-profits, and the San
Francisco School District, make her poised
to take on the role of Program Manager.
Ms. Ramos-Reyes’s goal for FCS is
to ensure that resource families have
the support that they need, to help with
recruitment, retention, and adoption, as
well as to support adolescents between the
ages of 17 and 21 transition from foster
care. Mrs. Ramos-Reyes, who is bilingual,
is enthusiastic to take on her role and find
ways to break down the language barrier
to better serve San Francisco’s diverse
portfolio of resource families.
“I’m very excited to work with our
caregivers and to really hone in on the
permanency options for a lot of the children
we have,” says Mrs. Ramos-Reyes.
When asked what she’d like to
accomplish in her first 90 days, Mrs.
Ramos-Reyes said she wants to develop
and streamline the internal RFA process,
get feedback and ideas from her colleagues
and staff about permanency, retention,
and recruitment, but most of all, she wants
to get out in the community and meet
resource parents.
“I’m a very community-involved person,
so I’m really looking forward to getting out
there and building community partnerships
with the community.”
In her past roles,
Mrs. Ramos-Reyes
has praised the power
of partnerships
when it comes to
achieving results.
True partnerships,
she says, involve
having difficult
conversations to
drive transformation. When asked how
she feels about her new role joining FCS
RFA, Mrs. Ramos-Reyes said: “I’m just
very excited. I have never seen so many
dedicated people…I am really excited to
work alongside them. I’ve seen how they
just pull together and how they’re very
committed, working all hours to support
the kids and families and caregivers, so I
am excited to be a part of that team.”
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Marketing/Public Relations
Do you or anyone you know have
marketing and public relations
skills? We are developing a
campaign to #KeepSFkidsinSF and
could use your expertise! If you can
help connect us with a marketing
and public relations professional,
please contact Arlene Hylton at
415-557-5067.
Trainings and Conferences
Are you a resource parent who
is interested in gaining more
knowledge and sharing your
expertise? If so, volunteer to
participate in trainings and
conferences in California and across
the US. All travel costs covered by
the Human Services Agency. Find
out if you qualify and add yourself
to the volunteer list by contacting
Arlene Hylton at 415-557-5067 or
[email protected].
10
QPI Corner
Let’s Talk QPI
The month’s QPI focus topic is geared
toward children returning to school. Social
Workers can use the information below to
assist caregivers on how to communicate
with schools, and the importance of foster
youth’s participation in extracurricular
activities.
The ABCs of Communicating
with Your Child’s School
A - Ask questions whenever you have
a concern. Good schools want involved
parents who know what’s going on in
their schools. They know that sound
support for their effort grows out of a solid
understanding of what’s happening and
why. Never feel like you’re intruding or
interrupting when you have something to
ask. Make a call. Visit your school. Send
an email. However you do it, ask about
whatever is on your mind.
B - Build your child’s confidence with
regular communication. Ask questions
about what’s going well and not so well
in school. Compliment good effort.
Encourage questions. Make conversation
about school progress an everyday ritual
C - Clarify language you don’t
understand. Some issues are complicated.
Sometimes even simple matters sound
complicated, even at schools. Don’t be
confused by jargon or abbreviations. Ask
questions until you’re comfortable with
what’s being said. Examples: “When you
say _________, what do you mean by
that?” Or, “Can you give me an example of
what you mean by _________________.”
D - Dig deeper into your child’s
schoolwork and understand what is going
on. Partner with your child and with
teachers to build a home-school learning
team. Understand the short-and long-term
learning objectives for assignments. Read
over assignments. Review homework.
Getting involved communicates to your
child and to teachers that you care.
E - Email your child’s teacher or
principal. Check with your child’s school
to see if it’s possible. Make sure you’re on
the email list to get school info, if your
school maintains one. But use email wisely.
It works best for short, uncomplicated
exchanges. It’s not good for resolving
concerns. Personal meetings still work best
for more serious matters.
children in their care. Every foster child is
entitled to participate in age-appropriate
and developmentally-appropriate
extracurricular, enrichment, and social
activities such as, but not limited to:
Extracurricular, Enrichment and
Social Activities
• Sleep-over with friends
Every day, parents make important
decisions about their children’s activities.
Resource parents are faced with making
the same decisions for the foster children in
their care. However, when resource parents
make decisions they also must consider
licensing or approval laws and regulations
to ensure the health and safety of foster
• School-sponsored field trips, events, or
sports
• Having friends over
• Scouting
• 4-H activities
• Babysitting
Participation in these types of activities
is important to both the child’s well-being,
and in developing valuable life-coping
skills. Resource parents should encourage
the child to participate in appropriate
extracurricular activities. Resource parents
are empowered to approve or disapprove
a foster child’s participation in such
activities without prior approval of the
social worker, licensing or approval agency,
or the Juvenile Court. The care provider’s
assessment of the appropriateness of the
activity must meet the Reasonable and
Prudent Parent Standard which is defined
as: The standard characterized by careful and
sensible parental decisions that maintain the
child’s health, safety, and best interest.
This article was previously published in
San Luis Obispo PEN Newsletter and was
reprinted with permission.
11
Cooking with Love
Five Superfoods for Fall
What do brussel sprouts, beets, cranberries, rutabagas, and kale
have in common? They are all superfoods that are in season during
the fall. Superfoods are foods that are touted for having a high
nutritional value in minerals and vitamins, which help to boost the
immune system and keep individuals healthy.
This fall, as the air outside becomes cold and dry, it is much
easier for the cold virus to live and spread, making individuals more
susceptible to colds. But resource parents can protect themselves
and their children by infusing superfoods into their diet. Eating
healthfully means eating fresh, local, and what’s in season to get
the highest nutritional value and flavor from foods.
Five superfoods to try this fall
Beets: These deep purple gems are a great source of fiber and
potassium, and help with blood flow and sore muscles.
Brussel Sprouts: These are rich in vitamins C and K, as well
as folic acid.
Cranberries: Long known for its benefits to the urinary tract,
cranberries are also loaded with antioxidants.
Kale: This leafy green is quickly becoming a substitute for lettuce
and other field greens—and it’s no wonder it is, due to the high
fiber, B6, vitamin C and potassium found in kale. Among the
many health benefits, kale protects against heart disease and helps
to lower blood pressure.
Pumpkin Seeds: Not only are pumpkin seeds fun to eat, but
they are also high in antioxidants and zinc, which is great for
boosting immunity and handling stress. Pumpkin seeds promote
healthy digestion and help relieve headaches.
Superfood Salad
3 cups chopped kale
1 cup napa cabbage
1 cup chopped broccoli slaw mix
½ cup diced beets
¼ cup pumpkin seeds (sunflower)
¼ cashew or sliced almonds
¼ cup dried cranberries
Serving size: 4
Time: 10 minutes
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Generously pour in your
favorite balsamic vinaigrette dressing, gently toss, and then serve.
Activities for All
Fun and Affordable Fall Traditions
In a few weeks, it will be fall—the weather will get cooler,
the foliage around you will change color, and you’ll be burrowing
through your closets to find warm cozy sweaters. For many, fall
evokes memories of family traditions like baking apple pies,
knitting scarves, or apple picking. If you’re a resource parent who
feels like fall has snuck up on you and you’re wondering what to do
with your children this season, here are three fall activities you can
enjoy with your family.
Frame Foliage. Fall comes with leaves galore on all over lawns,
backyards, and walkways. Some neighborhoods are filled with
red, yellow, brown and orange leaves from different varieties of
local trees. One idea is to collect a variety of multi-colored leaves
while taking a nature walk in your neighborhood or a nearby
park, then put them individually or collectively in a pattern in an
old picture frame. Framing foliage is a great way to bring a little
of the outdoors inside and update your wall décor in a fun and
economical way.
12
Minimum 30% post-consumer recycled
Paint a Pumpkin. Most families visit pumpkin patches to
get just the right pumpkin for carving, but this year, why not get
an imperfect pumpkin and paint it? Chalk paint gives users the
creative latitude to write on different surfaces. Resource families
can also experiment with stencils to create pumpkins that include
monograms, classic calligraphy, or fun holiday shapes!
Nosh on Apple Nachos.. During fall, lots of families visit
apple orchards to pick apples. If you can’t make it to an orchard this
year, you can visit your local farmer’s market and purchase apples.
And, if all else fails, there’s always the grocery store! This season,
the point is to try something new with your apples—apple nachos.
To make this treat, get a variety of different apples and cut them in
slices. Arrange the slices in a circle on a plate, drizzle generously
with caramel sauce (or another favorite), then sprinkle your favorite
crushed nuts, chocolate chips, granola, or mini-marshmallows on
top. Resource families also can modify this recipe to create healthy
and delicious snacks for children with dietary restrictions.